IGM vs VYM
iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IGM or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IGM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IGM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.14% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 301 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +26.90%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +30.89%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +36.17%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.40%Best | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.0%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,267Best | $17,861 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 13, 2001 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
IGM vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
IGM vs VYM Performance
iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IGM returned +30.89% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, IGM is up 26.90% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, IGM compounded at +36.17% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +19.40% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IGM has the edge at +16.06% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 14.6% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -55.0% for IGM and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGM charges 0.37% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $4 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGM currently yields 0.14% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.8% of IGM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IGM also owns.
IGM and VYM share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 269 positions we hold weights for in IGM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 301 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IGM (81.5% of the fund), and 211 for IGM that do not appear in VYM (81.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.58% | 7.35% | 0.23% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.93% | 1.86% | 0.07% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.05% | 1.02% | 0.03% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 1.12% | 0.90% | 0.22% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.97% | 0.85% | 0.12% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.78% | 0.73% | 0.05% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.80% | 0.63% | 0.17% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 0.59% | 0.50% | 0.09% |
| HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 0.31% | 0.26% | 0.05% |
| TELTe Connectivity Ltd. | 0.27% | 0.24% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGM and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IGM or VYM?
IGM has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGM or VYM?
Over the past year IGM returned +30.89% vs +15.34% for VYM, so IGM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IGM annualized +16.06% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGM or VYM?
IGM has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IGM -55.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IGM and VYM?
IGM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IGM and VYM?
16.8% of IGM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.6% of VYM's is in holdings IGM also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 269 positions we hold weights for in IGM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGM or VYM?
IGM yields 0.14% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IGM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IGM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.